Grave Purchases
The 14-year rule in relation to graves is still in operation within Gateshead. This means that the grave will be 'held' for the family for this period, without being purchased. Once this period has expired and if the deeds to the grave have not been purchased, the grave can then be re-used by the Council for burials of non-relatives.
The deeds to the grave must be purchased before any fixed memorial is allowed
To purchase a grave, an application form has to be completed. The form asks for the full name and address of the purchaser. This is important as the deeds will be made out in the name given and cannot be amended after issue.
There are two types of grave purchase:
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For a grave in which a burial has or is about to take place, or
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For a grave which will be purchased now to be used for future burials.
Once the application has been completed and the necessary payment made (please visit our fees and charges page for the latest costs), a receipt will be issued to the purchaser and the Register of Grave Purchases (held at the Civic Centre) will be updated. The official 'deeds' to the grave are sent out via Legal Services, usually within 3 months of the application. It is important the correct grave is applied for so please contact us if there are any queries over any aspect of the process.
Applicants must be 18 years or over.
For graves purchased now for future use, family members/representatives must be made aware of this to enable the correct grave to be used when needed.
A copy of the application form is available on the right of the page, or from the cemeteries office. You must read both sides of the application form before completing it. Please contact us if you require any advice or assistance with the form.
Grave Owners must ensure that the deeds to their grave are kept in a safe place. Duplicate deeds will not be issued if they become lost or mislaid. Deeds are important documents and should be treat as such.
Should any owner wish to assign his deeds to another, this can only be done by applying to the Bereavement Services Section. Both the grave owner and the intended 'new' owner must confirm that they are happy for this to go ahead. New deeds are not produced as a result of this, but a note is made in the register of grave owners, for future reference.
Memorials
Fixed memorials are only permitted on graves where the exclusive rights to the grave have been purchased. Memorials are not permitted on empty graves.
Types of graves (Lawn Section)
All new graves are excavated for 2 bodies and up to 4 cremated remains caskets, depending on the sequence of burial. Lawn type graves will be used. There are no kerbstones or border stones allowed on any graves within this section. Memorials are permitted as stated above. A planting area of 2’ 6” wide and up to 12” in front of the memorial is available for spring and summer bedding plants only.
General Sections
Are older style graves where kerbstones or border stones are allowed. Concrete/chippings are allowed on this kind of grave only. Any new grave will be excavated for burials as Lawn Sections. There are limited numbers of this type of grave within some cemeteries. Please ask your Funeral Director if you are requiring this option of grave.
Cremated Remains Sections
A ¼ size grave is allocated for the burial of cremated remains only. Memorials are permitted, but restrictions as to the size allowed are in place. Up to 4 cremated remains caskets are allowed in this type of grave. It must be noted that no full body burials can take place in these sections.
Childen's Sections
Designated areas for the interment of babies/children are available in the following cemeteries:
Saltwell, Birtley, Heworth Burn, Blaydon.
A smaller plot is available for the burial of one child. In exceptional cases where the burial of non-viable foetal remains has previously taken place, it may be possible to accommodate a further burial.
There is a size restriction on these graves, for more information please contact the cemeteries office at the number on the main page.
Further information on grave types and sections can found in the document on the right of the page.
Annual Grave Dressing
We can dress your grave twice each year with spring and summer bedding plants. Please refer to the table of fees and charges. Should you require this service, payment must be made to the cemeteries office no later than the 31st March of the year in which the grave dressing is required.
You must provide us with the grave number and section to determine if the full grave or the area in front of the memorial is to be planted. This service can only be carried out on purchased graves.
This is an annual charge and you must request this service each year in order to have the grave dressed.
Grave Owners Consent Forms
Monumental masons must have the required public liability insurance cover before carrying out any work on behalf of grave owners. Only qualified masons are permitted to carry out such works within the Councils cemeteries. Before any work is permitted a grave owners consent form must be submitted to the cemeteries office, at the Civic Centre, by the mason who will be carrying out the work.
This form has to be signed as correct by the grave owner, or in the case where the grave owner is deceased, by his representative.
This form asks for details as to which cemetery, the grave number and section and the work that is to be carried out. All forms are checked before being processed.
Each mason has as supply of grave owners consent forms, which are updated each year in line with fees and charges increases. A copy of the form is available on the right of the page for information purposes only.
It is the grave owners responsibility to ensure that any memorial is kept in a good and safe condition. Most masons will provide insurance cover but you may need to ask.
No unauthorized memorials are permitted on any grave.